We're growing up. Be patient, everyone. I said a few weeks back that this is a growing pains season. You all will appreciate games like this, Tulsa, and BG when we're back at the top of the standings. It may not be this year, but who knows? We could get hot and cause problems in the postseason.

-Huge high-five to Simmons. That was a point guard lover's wet dream of a performance. It will be a crime if he's not first team all-MAC

-Has anyone ever seen Maric and Mark Bortz in the same room before? Think about it.

-Nice crowd in the Convo. I think the attendance figure was about accurate at around 8700. We've got very basketball-savvy fans who know what moments are most important and when to get really, really loud.

-Who is the hype man/promo guy? I... actually kinda like him. Good energy, natural and confident on the mic. Not the puds you'll usually get in Cleveland for the MAC Tourney.

-I arrived at the Convo in the middle of the first quarter of the women's game. Nice crowd on-hand at that point. Probably north of 2000. The shots that weren't falling in Buffalo were going down with ease. Lots of pick six fast breaks. They're a really nice team and it's safe to say it will be a huge disappointment if they don't return to the dance. The got too loose on defense towards the end of the game and from my seats four rows away from our bench, Boldon was livid even up 30. He doesn't mess around.

-I'm predicting a rock solid performance against Ball State. The Cards are nothing special. The bigger challenge is in Buffalo who's probably the second best team in the MAC right now behind Akron. Stick with these guys - the future is bright.

I'm with you on the hype/promo guy. Does a bang up job if you ask me - sounds excited and sincere without seeming 'hokey'. Give me more of his approach all day long. Maybe even spend some time coordinating his efforts even more with the Ozone and 110. Organized enthusiastic student crowds can really rock the roundhouse.

Also totally agree with you that the future is bright. Until proven otherwise, I'm still of the opinion that the last scholly for next year really, really needs to go to a player who is somewhere between the Dartis and Simmons skill set. Otherwise, I think this group has every single piece in place just waiting to develop into a mighty good program down the road. It's become A LOT of fun to come to The Convo again with the positive approach, team efforts, and enthusiasm coach and this entire team shows.

Only thing I'd like to see added is a true lock down defender. For the older crowd - somebody like Eddie Hicks.

I disagree. that chant should die a slow painful death.

#getoffyourlawn #what--otherscan'thaveotheropinions? #nodetailedanalysisallowed?


OCF not on the Gavin Block train. I am truly disappointed.



"OU!" "OH YEAH!" is a great cheer and, along with Rollercoaster, it stays.


It's necessary and very difficult to come up with distinct cheers and advertisements. Any school could do 'scoreboard' or most of those quick school promos--they're interchangeable for, could be used by almost any school.

"OU!" "OH YEAH!" is distinct, is us, is brilliant.



[that other school is UO, no matter what they say]

I'm with Pete "Mr. Water" Chouteau on this one. It's forced, it's phony and it's chessey. Kind of reminded me of Jeb Bush, "please clap." Good cheers are a spontaneous reaction to action on the court or situational demands - like defense, defense, defense when we really need a stop not when we're up by 15.

Best thing about Saturday was the mettle the team showed after NIU came back.

-Jordy was getting beaten off the dribble repeatedly in the 2nd half. He didn't hang his head but you could tell he was getting frustrated. That three he hit late in the game was a dagger. Most guys might not have the confidence to put that shot up and drill it, let alone a freshmen who's had a pretty bad half on the other end.

-Treg was automatic in the first half on offense, not so much in the 2nd half. So what did he do? Stepped it up on the defensive end. That was key.

-Jaaron wasn't getting any calls until late in the game when he started attacking the rim with more fortitude. It seemed like in the first half he was trying to avoid contact too much. It was a different story once NIU took the lead.

-Tony didn't do much on the blocks, but he had some huge boards with guys draped all over him. His hands look as big as a baseball glove.

And I'll agree on the inconsistent refs. They missed some blatant travels on both ends and the "foul because guy missed shot" thing is awful.

OTOH young or NOT good teams rarely have 18 point leads. Sooooo..... not sure the poster a few posts above was not right. I am pretty sure most would surmise that NIU has been pretty good at the outset this year. Does not look like they are finishing too strong but we will see. OHIO is both young and unrefined.....and I am pretty sure I can find games where either MI or MI St have been down big or lost a lead (at home even...), and I am pretty sure no one would say they are not a GOOD team. Losing a lead is predictable as is getting blown out on your home court (see Iowa Mi St 2016) in college hoops. The repetition of that behaviour is what seperates good from meh....

Ball St may not be special, but they are a game ahead of Ohio in the conference standings. And we struggled to beat them in Athens.

We're not special either. This is going to take a good effort to win in Muncie. They will be favored in this game. There isn't a team in the MAC we can't beat and there isn't a team we can't lose to.